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By: Mario Conde
The Republican and Democratic Conventions are now behind us and the two major parties now have their respective candidates campaigning towards the November elections. This is historic election for many reasons. One of them is that for the first time in American political history, a woman is the nominee for a major political party. Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady and Secretary of State, aspires to become the first woman President of the United States. Eight years after losing against Barack Obama to become the nominee of the Democratic Party, Clinton now has the chance to break barriers and become the President of the United States. The 2016 race was a very tough race for her since he had to compete against Senator Bernie Sanders who motivated a lot of young voters with his message of social justice.
On the other side, you have Donald Trump who took over politics by storm with lots of controversy along the way. Trump has never been a politician before or held office. Trump, the businessman and TV Personality, decided to run for President of the United States and defeated very experience politicians and political dynasties along the way. A novice in politics, Trump defeated Senators, Governors, and Congressmen to become the nominee of the Republican Party against all odds. Time will tell if Trump will overcome the last obstacle and become the President of the United States.
This election is historic not only because of the two major candidates of the Democratic and Republic Party but because for the first time since 1992 there is a third candidate in the race.
Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson won the nomination of the Libertarian Party for President and his running mate is the former Governor of Massachusetts, Bill Weld.
He served as the 29th Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003 as a member of the Republican Party. Johnson ran for President in 2012 as a Republican but then switch to the Libertarian and won the nomination and chose Judge Jim Gray as his running mate. The Johnson/Gray ticket received 0.99% of the popular vote, amounting to 1.27 million votes, more than all other minor candidates combined. It was the best showing in the Libertarian Party’s history by vote count.
In a guest column for POLITICO, Johnson said that the Republican Party is dying and is no longer the Party he knew. He said that Trump and his running mate Mike Pence are running a camping that is divisive and not giving voters a true option.
“We provide an honest, principled and sane alternative to the madness that we see in two so-called mainstream political parties. Today, Bill Weld and I want to offer that vision. Americans are tired of games. They want and deserve simple, straightforward and good government — not overwrought theatrics and demagoguery.”
Johnson has polled up to 13% against Trump and Clinton and is looking to pass the 15% mark so he can be included in the Presidential debates this fall.
The 2016 Presidential race is unique. No matter who wins, United States will never be the same.
